magic me’s artists residencies in care homes programme · 2018-04-12 · magic me’s artist...

MAGIC ME’S ARTISTS RESIDENCIES IN CARE HOMES PROGRAMME Learning from Phase One, April 2015 – March 2016 Susan Langford MBE, Director, Magic Me

ContentsAbout This Report Magic Me Our Care Partner The Arts Partners

Context And Rationale For The Project Objectives

The Story So Far Punchdrunk Enrichment and Greenhive Lois Weaver and Rose Court Learning and Questions Raised

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Ourpartnerorganisationsare:

Photocreditcover:PunchDrunkEnrichments’sGreenhiveGreen-photo-StephenDobbieLoisWeavers’TammyWhyNot-Photo-ChristaHolka

Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 3

About this report

ArtscharityMagicMeisrunningatwoyearprogrammeofArtists Residencies in Care Homes,inpartnershipwithAnchor,England’slargestnot-for-profitcarehomeproviderandfourartspartners,allleadersintheirfield:PunchdrunkEnrichment,LoisWeaver,DuckieandUpswing.

StartinginApril2015theprojectaims:

•Toshowthatartistscancreateexcellentworkwitholderpeopleinacarehomeenvironment,bringingmultiplebenefitstoresidentsandtothewidercarehomecommunity.

•Todevelopnewtoolsandtechniquestosupportartistsinsuchactivityandtoopenthedooronnewpossibilitiesforcarehomes,asplaceswhereinspiringandimportantartiscreated.

PunchdrunkEnrichmentwereinresidenceatGreenhiveandLoisWeaveratRoseCourt,twoAnchorhomesinSouthwark,SouthLondonfromJanuarytoMarch2016.ResidencieswithDuckieandUpswingareindevelopmentwithtwofurtherhomes,tostartinsummer2016.

Thisreportdocumentsthestorysofar:themotivationsforthework;theplanningandpreparationtosetuptheresidencies;therolesofeachpartner;theactivityandworkmadeduringthefirsttworesidencies;thechallengesandlearningtodateandthemanyquestionsraised.Wehaveayeartogoandmuchstilltodo,andwillreportinmoredepthinSpring2017.

Thankyoutoeveryonewhohasparticipatedinandsupportedtheresidenciessofar.

Weareparticularlygratefulforthehonestfeedbackanddiscussionswehavehadwithourcarehomeandartspartners,andpeople’swillingnesstosharetheirstoriesandquestions.

Susan Langford MBE, Director, Magic Me May 2016

Thisprojectisfundedby:

4 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One

Magic Mewww.magicme.co.uk

MagicMeisoneoftheUK’sleadingprovidersofintergenerationalartspractice.BasedinTowerHamlets,eastLondonwerunanannualprogrammeofprojectsandeventsbringingtogetheryoungerandolderpeopleformutualbenefit,learningandenjoyment.Projectsareallruninpartnershipwitholderpeople’sgroups,schools,community,careandculturalorganisations,andwithindividualyoungandolderpeoplelivinglocally.

Ourproventrackrecordandexpertiseover26yearsworkingwithcarehomesforolderpeopleincludesthreedistinctmodelsofintergenerationalartspractice:

•ArtsProjectsledbyourownpoolofskilledprofessionalartists,bringingschoolstudents(juniororsecondary)intocarehomestoworkcreativelywithresidentsForexampleSonglines (2013)withvideoartistEllieReesandmusician/composerJulianWestledtothepresentation/performanceofnewsongsandvideoatHoxtonHallaspartofSpitalfieldsMusicSummerFestival.

•This is My Life(2007-08)PhotographerMarysiaLachowiczworkedwithresidentsofSilkCourtCareHome,theirfamilies,visitorsandcarestaff,tocreativelydocumentindividualolderpeople’slivesandchoicestodate.Usingarchives,familyalbumsandnewphotographs,eachresidentcreatedalifestorybookorposter,informingstaffaboutresidents’interests,thusenhancingcare.Theworkusedanintergenerationaldynamic,engagingfamiliesandstaff.

•Cocktails in Care Homes(2010-ongoing)OlderpeopleaskedMagicMeforeveningactivitytocombatlonelinessandboredomafterdinnerat5pm.Wedesigned Cocktails bringingyoungadultvolunteerstosocialisewithresidentsoveradrinkinacreativeenvironment.Wenowrunmonthlyparties6-7pmin9carehomesinfiveLondonboroughs.370residentsand271volunteersparticipatedin2015/16.

Inaddition,fromNovember2016MagicMeisrunningAction on Loneliness,aoneyearpilotprojecttorecruitandlink60adultvolunteerswith60olderpeoplelivingin6carehomes,combatingisolationandloneliness.Volunteersvisitweeklyforconversationorone-to-oneactivitieschosenbytheolderpeople.Action on Loneliness wascommissionedbythePublicHealthDepartmentoftheLondonBoroughTowerHamlets.

The Magic Me team on Artists’ Residencies were:Projectmanagement:SusanLangford,DirectorProjectmanagement:EllieWatmough,ProjectManagerProjectmanagement:SarahDean,GeneralManagerArtistMentors:JulianWest,SuryaTurnerObserver/Evaluation:MarineBegault,VictoriaHoggStorifyandPress:ErinMorrisConsultantTrainer:SallyKnocker,DementiaCareMatters

Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 5

Our Care Partner Anchorwww.anchor.org.uk

Withalmost40,000customersin1,000locations,AnchorisacharityandEngland’slargestnot-for-profitproviderofhousingandcareforolderpeople.Anchorprovidesarangeofservicesfromrentedandleaseholdretirementpropertiestoresidentialcarehomes,specialistdementiacarehomesandretirementvillages.Withnearly50yearsofexperienceprovidingqualityforwardthinkingcare,HappyLivingisnotonlyAnchor’sstrapline,butit’sreasonforbeing.AnchorwasthewinnerofBestCareHomecategoryintheNationalCareAwards2015.

Anchorbelievesthatactiveparticipationintheartscanoffertremendousbenefitstoisolatedolderpeople,improvinghealthandwell-beingwhilebringingnewmeaning,friendshipsandenjoyment.The“norightorwrong”dynamicoftheartsmeanstherearemanywaystorespondorparticipate,embeddingindividualexpressionandofferinganinclusiveapproach.

Artsengagementenablesstaffandfamiliestoseeolderpeopleinanewlight,learnmoreaboutthem,buildingbetterrelationshipsandimprovingcare.AnchorrecognisesthesebenefitsfromcurrentandpreviousartsresidenciesandprojectswithamongstothersArtsinthePark,theBritishMuseum,ManchesterAgeFriendlywithManchesterCityCouncilandRadioAllFm.Anchoralsoknowthattodeliverthesebenefits,andhavelastingimpactwithinhomes,artsactivitiesneedstobecarefullydesigned,runandevaluated,incollaborationwitholderpeople,staffandfamilies.

Greenhive Care Home inPeckhamandRose Court Care Home inSurreyQuaysarepurposebuiltresidenceswithen-suiterooms,providingresidentialcareandspecialistcareforresidentswithdementia.In2014GreenhivewasLondon’sfirstcarehometoberated‘outstanding’bytheCareQualityCommission.Silk Court inBethnalGreenandWatersideinPeckhamwillhostartistsresidencieswithDuckieandUpswinginAutumn2016.

Staff who worked with Punchdrunk Enrichment included:ConnieOppongMBE:ManagerEdnaRafferty:DeputyManagerActivitiesCoordinators:MarieBogui,LeilaFitzpatrickAdministrator:AshfordMensah

Staff who worked with Lois Weaver included:Manager:PatrickUmerahActivitiesCoordinator:ShawlShewarkabish

DebbieSharplesKirkbrideMBE,CustomerEngagementAdvisorwasprojectmanagerforAnchorfromtheconceptionoftheproject.

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PunchDrunkEnrichments’GreenhiveGreen-photo-StephenDobbie

PunchDrunkEnrichments’GreenhiveGreen-photo-StephenDobbie

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The Arts Partners PunchDrunk Enrichment www.punchdrunk.org.uk/enrichment

Sinceitsformationin2000,Punchdrunkhasestablishedaninternationalreputationasaground-breakingtheatrecompany,creatingepicworldsandimmersivetheatricalexperiencesthathavewonthecompanyawardsandapopularfollowing-theirLondonproductionThe Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable(2013/14)wasseenbyover200,000people.

Since2008,Punchdrunk’sEnrichmentteamhastakenthisimmersivepracticeintocommunities,creatingperformanceswithandforchildren,youngpeopleandthewidercommunity.PunchdrunkEnrichmenthasenjoyedwidespreadsuccess,workingwithover80,000youngpeopleandcommunitymemberssinceitsinception.PunchdrunkEnrichmenthasworkedwithover200schools,creatinggroundbreakingeducationalprojectswhichplacepupilsandteachersattheheartoftheexperienceandprovidearealcatalystforlearning.

Against Captain’s Orders,theirbiggestproductiontodateinpartnershipwiththeNationalMaritimeMuseum,wasexperiencedbyfamilyaudiencesofover33,000andwasnominatedfortheMuseumandHeritageAwards2016.

OtherrecenthighlightsincludeBeneath the Streets - Lost & Found (2015),thesequeltothe2014collaborationbetweenPunchdrunkEnrichmentandHijinxTheatrefeaturingstudentsfromHijinx’sAcademytrainingcourseforactorswithlearningdisabilitiesamongthecast.Beneath the Streets (2014)wasnominatedforBestProductionintheEnglishLanguageattheWalesTheatreAwards.

OverHalloween2015,CreativeBarking&DagenhamcommissionedPunchdrunkEnrichmenttoworkwithlocalresidentsonSt Ethelburga’s Hallowtide Fair,amagicalreimaginingoflocaltraditionsandlegendsatEastburyManorHouse.Prospero’s Island,PunchdrunkEnrichment’sfirstsecondaryschoolprojectwasaground-breakingcollaborationwithHackneyLearningTrustandHackney’sPetcheyAcademywheretheworldofTheTempestwasbroughttolifeforpupilstodeepentheirunderstandingoftheplay.

The Punchdrunk Enrichment team on Artists’ Residencies:Director:MatthewBlakeDesigner:JulieLandauSound&GraphicDesign:StephenDobbieProductionManager:BenHosfordEnrichmentDirector:PeterHigginEnrichmentProducer:AlexRowseEnrichmentOfficer:ElinMooreWilliams

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LoisWeavers’TammyWhyNot-Photo-ChristaHolka

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Lois Weaverwww.split-britches.com/tammywhynot

Tammy WhyNotwascreatedforaSpiderwomanTheaterperformancein1979,andhasbeenthroughmanyincarnationsintheinterveningyears.Inhericonicblondewigandpinkbootsshehashosteddiscussions,heldworkshops,andstarredinherownshows,exploringmyriadsocialandpoliticalissues.Aspartofhermostrecentworkonageingandwellbeing,Tammyhascollaboratedwitheldersacrosstheworld,includingduringaweek-longresidencyinZagreb,andthroughouttheongoingtourofWhat Tammy Needs To Know About Getting Old And Having SexinNewYork,Poland,andthroughouttheUK.

SheisalsothecreationofLoisWeaver:artist,activistandparttimeprofessorofContemporaryPerformanceatQueenMary,UniversityofLondon.Loiswasco-founderofSpiderwomanTheater,WOWandArtisticDirectorofGaySweatshopinLondon.Shehasbeenawriter,directorandperformerwithPeggyShawandSplit Britchessince1980.LoiswasnamedaSeniorFellowbytheHemisphericInstituteofPerformanceandPoliticsin2014andisa2014GuggenheimFellow.Hercollectionofperformancetexts,methodologiesandbiographyThe Only Way Home Is Through The Show: Performance Work of Lois Weaver,eds.WeaverandJenHarvie,waspublishedbyIntellectin2015.

Lois’sArtistResidencyatRoseCourtwasespeciallyinformedbyherworkwithperformanceasameansforpublicengagement,notonlyasTammy,herfacilitatingpersona,butalsowiththeuseofthe Long Tableformatforpublicdiscussion.

Lois’sworkatRoseCourtiscontributingtohersurroundingresearchofanewprojectindevelopmentUnexploded Ordnancesabouttherisksofunexploredpotentialinelders.LoisandPeggyconductedR&DinresidenceattheBarbicanCentreinApril2016,straightaftertheArtistResidencyatRoseCourtaswellasinvitingcontributionsfromaninternationalfamilyofeldersandexpertsfromNewYork,London,Glasgow,Tasmania,AlaskaandPoland.

FollowTammy’sonTwitter@whynottammy orfriendheron Facebook

Lois Weaver’s team on Artists’ Residencies were:Artist:LoisWeaverArtists’Assistant:HannahMaxwellFilmmaker:ClaireNolanObserver:MelissaBliss,PhDcandidateatQueenMary,UniversityofLondon

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Duckiewww.duckie.co.uk

DuckieareaLondoneventscollectivethatcreate“goodnightsout”.FromtheirlegendarytwodecadeslongweeklyresidencyattheRoyalVauxhallTaverntowinningOlivierawardsattheBarbican,theyare‘purveyorsofprogressiveworkingclassentertainment’whomixliveartandlightentertainment.Theycoinedtheterm‘eventculture’todescribetheiraudienceinteractiveexperiencesthatblurtheboundariesbetweentheatre,nightclubsandartyshowbusiness.

DuckiecombinebigshowswithatriptychofsmallsociallyengagedartsclubssuchasThe Posh Club(aweeklyglamorouscabaretforolderworkingclassfolk),D.H.S.S(LGBTyouththeatre)andTheSlaughterhouseClub(artsprojectforhomeless&vulnerableLondonersstrugglingwithboozeandaddictionissues).Duckiehavelong-termrelationshipswithseveralmajorvenuesincludingBarbicanCentre,SouthbankCentreandtheBrightonDome.

Duckie’s Artists’ Residencies team so far are: Director:SimonCassonProducer:DickieEtonVisualArtist:RobinWhitmore

Upswingwww.upswing.org.uk/

UpswingisoneoftheUK’sleadingcircusandaerialtheatrecompaniescreatinginnovative,culturallyresonatingwork,withadeeplyembeddedcommitmenttoparticipationthatconnectswithaudiencesbeyondtraditionaltheatregoers.Upswingaspirestoproduceexceptionalworkthattransformstheperceptionofcontemporarycircusintoanartformthatisdiverseinitsaudience,ideologyandpractice.

ThisprojectfullyresonateswithUpswing’sinclusivevision:tocreateCircusthatgoesbeyondspectacleandstretchesparticipant’sselfimage,encouragingtrustinthemselvesandothers.WiththisprojectUpswingwillcreateaplayfulenvironmentwherecreativeboundariesarepushedandtheycanturnthespaceupside-down,ifonlymetaphorically.Upswing’s Artists’ Residencies team so far are:ArtisticDirector:VickiAmedumeGeneralManager:CamilleBensoussan

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Context and rationale for the project

Invitingartiststomakeartworksorfacilitateartsactivitywithcommunitiesincarehomesforolderpeopleisnotnew.Individualartistsandartsorganisationshavebeendoingthisinpartnershipwithcareprovidersacrossthecountryformanydecades.However,whilstartistsinresidencebecamecommoninschoolsinthe1990’stherealgrowthinartsactivitybyandwitholderpeopleismorerecent.SupportfromkeyfundersincludingtheBaringFoundationandtheArtsCouncilacrossEngland,ScotlandandWalesandthesearchforfreshapproachesinthecareofpeoplewithdementiahavegeneratedincreasedinterestandmanynewinitiativesinrecentyears.Atthesametime“artsandcraftsafternoons”and“entertainers”stillticktheartsboxintoomanyplaces.

MagicMe’sownpooloffreelanceartistshavebeendesigningandleadingintergenerationalartsprojectswithcarehomeresidentsandstaffforover26years.Wedecidedwewantedtodosomethingdifferent.MagicMehaspartneredwithAnchorsince1992andweappreciatedtheirtrackrecordofinnovativeartsprojectswithusandinotherregions.Artists’ Residencies in Care Homeswasco-designedwithDebbieSharplesKirkbrideMBE,thenCustomerEngagementAdvisoratAnchorandsoughttobringunlikelyandperhapsmorechallengingartspractitionerstoAnchorhomes.

Insummer2014weapproacheddifferentleadingartscompaniesinLondontojoinus.WewerethrilledbythepositiveresponsefromnearlyeveryonewespoketoandwithAnchorandtheseartspartnerswemadeasuccessfulbidforfundingtoPaulHamlynFoundation.Ourpartnerswereinvitedtotakepartfortheirartistictrackrecord,theircommitmenttosociallyengagedpracticeandtheirdesiretoextendtheirpracticeintocarehomes.

Duringtheprocessofsecuringfundingandsettinguptheprojecttwoinitialpartnerschosenottogoaheadwiththeproject.Althoughverykeenontheidea,ultimatelythematchwasnotquiteright.Asweexploredhowtheresidencieswouldactuallyworkwefoundthattheprojecttiming,thefitwiththestrategicfocusofthecompanyorthedetailsoftheartistspracticedidnotdovetailwiththeneedsandsituationsofthecarehomes.Ourfirstkeyinsightwasthereforefundamental.Anartist’spracticemayrelyonparticipationfromthepublic,butremainverymuchinthehandsandthecontroloftheartist.Workwithpeoplewithdementianeedstobeperson-centred,witheachresidentsettingthepaceandconstantlychoosingandnegotiatinghowandwhentoparticipate.

Theeventualartspartnersfortheprojectwereallpreparedtotakeonthechallengeofmakingworkwithandforaverydifferentaudience,inaveryparticularenvironment,whilstkeepingtheintegrityoftheirownpracticeanditsuniqueaesthetic.

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Objectives

Bringingtogethertheexpertiseofthecarehomes,theartspartnersandMagicMeweaimedto:

•Provideresidentswithaccesstotoplevelartsexperience,eveniftheyarephysicallyormentallyfrailandunabletovisitgalleriesorperformancevenues.

•Challengetheageistattitudesthatbeingoldresidentswouldnotwishtoenjoyup-to-datework,andwouldfocusonreminiscingnotimaginativethemes.

•Challengeandsupporttheartspartnerstobringtheirpracticeintoacompletelynewsetting,workingwiththecarehomedynamicsastheywouldwithanynewcontextorhost,butnot‘dumbingdown’theirpracticeinanyway.

•ChallengeanddevelopMagicMe’sownpractice,learningnewtechniquesandmethodsfromourartspartners,andtheirpracticeinthecarehomes,anddevelopingourmodelofintergenerationalpracticewithadultsofdifferentages.

•Challengethewidercarehomecommunity,itsneighbours,andtheartsaudienceswhoalreadyfolloweachartspartner,showingthatcarehomescanbeexciting,forwardthinkingplaces,whereamazingthingshappen.

LoisWeavers’TammyWhyNot-RoseCourt-Photo-ClaireNolan

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The Story So Far

Building partnershipsAnchorhassixcarehomesinLondonandfourwereselectedtohostresidencies.Matchingoftheartspartnersandhomeswasdifficult,andeventuallybasedmainlyonpracticalitiesforallinvolved:timingandexistingcommitments,geography,spaceswithinthehomeswhichwouldworkforthedifferentartforms.Managersandhomeswerenotalwaysmatchedwiththeirfirstchoiceofpartner,anditwasalongwaitforhomeschosentohostartistsinthesecondphase.

InphaseonePunchdrunkEnrichmentwerepartneredwithGreenhiveinPeckham,whocouldofferaroominwhichtobuildanimmersiveenvironment.LoisWeaverwasmatchedwithRoseCourtinSurreyQuays.Theartspartnersinvitedcarehomestoviewtheirwork,tobetterunderstandtheirpractice.GreenhivestaffattendedPunchdrunk’sAgainst Captain’s OrdersattheNationalMaritimeMuseum,Greenwich,ashowdesignedforchildren,whichneverthelessdemonstratedthekindoftotalworldwhichthecompanyisknownfor.SilkCourtstaffandresidentsattendedUpswing’sBedtime Stories,atStratfordCircus,anotherfamilyshow,whichraisedmanyquestionsabouthowtointroduceaerobatics,magicandaerialworkintoacarehome.Upswing’sresidencyisplannedforphasetwotogiveagoodleadtimetoengagestaff,planappropriateactivitiesandundertakeriskassessments.

MagicMewasalreadyrunningCocktails in Care Homesmonthlypartiesattwoofthehosthomes,andstartedpartiesattheothertwoduring2016,sothatwe,andtheartspartnerscouldgettoknowtheresidentsandstaff,andbecomefamiliarwithhowthehomesoperate.WealsojoinedResidentsmeetingsandmetwithActivitiesCoordinators.AlthoughallarepartofAnchor,eachhomehasitsownpersonality.

Contracts and agreementsDuringAutumn2015athreewayagreementwasdraftedandre-drafteduntilallwerehappywiththeroles,rightsandresponsibilitiesofeachpartnerasweworkedtogether.ContractsbetweenMagicMeandeachartspartnerwerealsosigned.

Preparation and support for the artistsOn1stJuly2014theartspartnersmetwithMagicMeprojectleadersandDebbieSharplesKirkbridefromAnchortoagreetogetherthescopeoftheproject,discussourhopesandfears,andagreeaframeworkforhowwewouldmeasuresuccess.SallyKnockerofDementiaCareMattersco-facilitatedthedayenablingustoexaminecarehomedynamics,buildingpartnershipswithstaff,theroleofmeaningfulactivityandhowtodesignandpresentactivitiestogroupswhichmayincludepeoplewithdementia,thosewhohavesensoryimpairmentsorlowenergyorconfidencelevels.

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Wehadenvisagedanartspartnersfollowupsessioninearly2016,toshareexperiencesandquestionsfromthefirstweeksofthephaseoneresidencies,howevertheschedulesoftheartspartnerswerehecticandnomatterhowinadvancewestarted,wecouldnotgeteveryoneinthesameroom.SallythereforevisitedGreenhivetoobserveagroupsession,andofferedverbalandwrittenfeedbacktothePunchdrunkteamandtheActivitiesCo-ordinatorswhosupportedeachactivity.SusanLangfordandEllieWatmoughvisitedandobservedsessions,gavefeedbackandreflectedwiththeartistsonthedetailsofactivitydesignandhowtoengageparticularindividuals.

InadditionMagicMeofferedtoeachartspartneranArtistMentor.MagicMeartistsJulianWestandSuryaTurnerwereavailabletosupportplanning,reflectionandproblem-solving,toobservesessionsortalkonthephone,foratotalof21hoursperresidency.LoisWeaverchosenottoworkwithamentor.PunchdrunkEnrichmentvaluedJulian’sinputandexperiencewithpeoplewithdementia.

Evaluation processPartoftheschedulingprocesswasagreeinghowtocapturewhathappenedduringtheactivitiesanditsimpactonindividualolderpeople,thestaff’sunderstandingofthemandlifeatthecarehomemoregenerally.Wedidnotwanttoaddtostaff’spaperwork.ActivitiesCoordinatorsalreadynotetheengagementandreactionsofeachresidentinanyactivitytheylead,andtheArtistskeptaprojectdiaryorwroteweeklyShowReportsnotingtheactivities,people’sresponsesandanyquestionsraisedforthem.

MarineBegaultledthegatheringofdatatoevaluatethework;sheinterviewedkeycarehomestaffatthebeginning,middleandendoftheresidencies,observedsessionsandcollectedquotesfromartists,residentsandstaff.VictoriaHogg,anMAstudentatGoldsmiths,UniversityofLondon,observedweeklyPunchdrunkEnrichmentsessions.Marinethenreviewedallthedatatopulloutkeythemes,whichwereusedasabasisfortheendofprojectevaluationmeetingswiththeartspartners,andthewritingofthisreport.

The Residencies TheactivitiestookplacebetweenJanuaryandMarch2016.Thedescriptionsthatfollowwerewrittenbytheartspartners.

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Punchdrunk Enrichment & Greenhive Care Home

PunchdrunkEnrichmenttransformedaroominGreenhiveCareHome,withthecompany’strademarkdesign-ledattentiontodetail.Over8weeksresidentscametogetherasthevillagecommitteeof‘GreenhiveGreen’participatedinactivitiesandenjoyedmagicaltheatricalmomentsasthestoryoftwovillagesunfolded.Webegandescribingtheprojectaspartgameandpartsoap-opera.

DesignPunchdrunk’sworkisimmersiveindesign–spaceistotallytransformedvisually,withatmosphericsoundtracks,smells,texturesandlighting.Theambitionwastocreateabeautifulspaceforresidentsthatwouldenhancetheirenvironmentandprovideapointofinterestinthehome,butalsotransportresidentstoadifferentenvironmentthatwaspartofourstoryworld.

TheworldofGreenhiveGreenwasanEnglishvillagesquare,prettyandcalm.Eachwallfeaturedapartofvillagelife–thecastlewall,postbox,policetelephonebox,pub,villagenoticeboard,hedgerows,aparkbench,andaflorist’scalledButterCUPS(whichwasneveropen).Pavingcircledagrassycentre,onwhichalargelongwhitetablewithinvitingseatswasplaced.Overheadwasacolourfulcanopywithfestoonlightingstrungacross.WewereexcitedbyplacingaPunchdrunkenvironmentinacontextwhereparticipantswouldbenefitfromthemulti-sensorydesign.

NarrativeEachonehoursessionwouldbeginwiththeritualof‘wakingup’theroom.Theheadspeakerofthecommittee(ourleadfacilitator)wouldslowlycircletheroom,drawingattentiontothelightsinthehousesastheybrightened,thepolicetelephoneboxasitlitup,openingthepubdoorandhearingthepatronsinside.Thiswasaccompaniedbyaclassicalsoundtrackthatcrescendo-edwithallthelightsintheroom,andthearrivalofthe(toy)trainfromaneighbouringvillage.

TheactivityeachweekgrewfromtheunfoldingstoryoflifeinGreenhiveGreen.ThediscoveryofanotherlocaltowncalledBlarfordinWeek1,ledtothearrivalofaletterinWeek2challengingtheCommitteetoparticipateinaVillagesinBloomcompetition.AphonecallfromourMayorthenalertedustoplants,soilandtoolsleftinthepottingshed.

Theplannednarrativeaboutthehistoryofthetwovillageswasmadesimplershortlyafterwebeganthe8weekproject,aswerealisedthatitwasunnecessaryandhardformanyresidentstoretainfromweektoweek.Thestorybecameabouttwoneighbouringvillagesbecomingfriendsthroughexchanges–fromsendingDiplomacyCakestochoosingavillageanthem.

16 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One

TherecurringmotifsoftheabsentGreenhiveGreenMayorandtheabandonedButterCUPSculminatedinthefinaleweekwhereapartywasthrowntocelebratetheachievementsofourCommittee.Thepartywasattendedby89residents,staff,familyandfriends.TheMayorfinallyappearedinpersontocongratulatetheCommittee,coincidentallyatthesametimeasthewindowofButterCUPSwastransformedintoabeautifuldisplay.Inthefollowingdays,eachmemberoftheCommitteewasinvitedtoapersonalisedperformanceinGreenhiveGreen.ResidentshadacupofteawiththePunchdrunkEnrichmentteamtheyreflectedontheirtimetogether,enjoyedsometheatricalsurprises,andtheMayortoldalovestorythatledtotheopeningofButterCUPStoretrieveagiftforthecommitteemember.

The practicalitiesGreenhiveGreenwasbuiltoff-siteasmuchaspossibleandinstalledatGreenhiveover6days,insuchawaythatitcouldberemovedlaterwithscarcelyatrace.ThePunchdrunkEnrichmentteamoffivehostedtheweeklyworkshopeveryTuesdaymorningforupto8residents,andthenrepeateditintheafternoonwithanothergroup.Theyalsoexperimentedwithengagingonetooneresidentsintheirbedrooms-peoplewhowouldnotbeabletojointhesessionsduetopoorhealth,butgiventhetimeandenergyrequiredtofindanewwayofworkingtodothisproperly,itwasdecidedtofocusontheactivitywithinGreenhiveGreenitself.Atotalof21residentsparticipated,withanaverageof8residentsateachsession.ThetwoActivitiesCo-ordinatorssupportedolderpeoplethroughout,oftenjoinedbytheManager,andotherstaffasnecessary.

Reaching a wider audienceTheroomitselfalsoprovidedacalm,welcomingandstimulatingspace,andanongoingprojectpresenceandresourcebetweenactivities.Residents,visitorsandstaffusedittorelaxorholdmeetings.38externalAnchorstaffandsuppliersvisitedatleastonce.

PunchdrunkEnrichmentcreatedaweeklyGreenhiveGreennewsletter,reportingontheCommittee’sactivities,andsharingothernewsfromthevillage.ThiswasprintedbyGreenhivestaffandusedtostimulateconversationswithpeoplewhohadattendedtheactivities,andtoengagewithotherresidentsandstaff.

Atwitteraccount@GreenhiveGreenattracted1,193followers,bringingweeklynewsfromtheCommitteetoapublicaudience,andinvitinginteraction.Visittoviewthefullstory,readallthenewslettersandseeprojectphotos.

Devising the storyTheprojectwasdevisedcollectivelybytheprojectteamandEnrichmentteamandwasinresponsetotheroomandGreenhiveCareHome.Thehomeislikeaminicommunityandworld,soitfeltlogicaltore-lensethehomeasavillageandallresidentsasmembersofthiscommunity.Wefeltlikewewantedtoexplorearuralvillagesettingastakingthemoutoftheeveryday.

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Intermsofdesignthisalsoofferedusabrightcolourfulandnaturalpalettetorespondtoanduse,meaningwecouldbringinnaturalplantmaterials.Wewantedtofindawaytobringresidentstogether,tomakesenseofthisandwithintheworldofGreenhiveGreen:Whywouldtheymeet,whatwouldtheytalkabout,whowouldtheybeinrelationtotheworld?Importantlyhowcouldwebuildontheexperienceweekbyweek,makingitfamiliarbutyetnewanddifferent?Oncewehadanideaofavillage,thevillagecommitteefollowedquickly.Itwaseasytomakesenseofthisinourworld,whereparticipantswererequiredtomakedecisionsandalsoallowedforgreateragencyandcharactertobedevelopediftheappetitetodosoexisted.Acommitteetablebecamevitalandthisset-upallowedforasenseofcommunityandademocraticapproachtoflourish.This‘feelingpartofsomething’,beingonanequalfootingandhavingaspacewhereyourvoice(asaparticipant)wasimportanthelpedtobuildgroupandcommunity.ImportantlyforusitwasallthroughthenarrativelensoftheworldofGreenhiveGreen.

Bringing Punchdrunk’s aesthetic and experience to the homeThemostexcitingandchallengingthingaboutthisprojectwasmouldingourpracticetofitintothissetting.Althoughwespokeearlyonaboutnotcreatinganinstallation,weverysoondecidedthataninstallationwasvital.Asalways,westrivetokeepthequalityandintegrityandcomplexityoftheworldswecreateatthesamelevelasanyworkthecompanyapproaches.Onechallengewastocreatesomethingwhichwouldphysicallyallowusalltofitintothespaceandtoembodyamuchbiggerworldthanthefootprintofthespacesuggested.Intermsofactivitiesandnarrativewewantedtoremainflexibleandresponsive,avoidingdumbingdownbasedonunfoundedlevelsofexpectation.

Thisbecameaparticipantledconversationinvolvingthecarehomeandotherstakeholdersandultimatelyourresponsestohowworkwasreceivedbyresidents.Thekeytounlockingthisprojectforuswascreatingaset-upwhereparticipantscouldbethemselves,buthadthepotentialtotakeoncharacter.Aspacethatwasfriendlyandunintimidating,aplacewhereyouwanttospendtime.Thereneededtobeanunfoldingnarrativethatcouldbeimpactedandchangedandchallengedbyparticipants,butthatdidn’trelyonthemdoingthisorevenunderstandingittobesuccessful.

Atitssimplesttheprojectwasanicespacewhichwecouldmeetineachweekandshareacupofteaanddoafulfillingactivity.Onamorecomplexlevelitwasaplacewhereanarrativewasunfolding,anarrativeofwhichresidentsareatthecentreandaretheprotagonists,aworldofmysteryanddetail.Thekeywastocreateaslidingscaleofengagementthatallowedforresidentstoenterintotheprojectatapointappropriatetotheirabilities.Importantlywealwaystriedtoputthegroupandwherepossibleindividualsattheheartofanydecisionthatwasmade.

18 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One

PunchDrunkEnrichments’GreenhiveGreen-photo-StephenDobbie

PunchDrunkEnrichments’GreenhiveGreen-photo-PaulCochrane

Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 19

Lois Weaver & Rose Court Care Home

LoisWeaverakacountry-westernsingerturnedperformanceartistTammyWhyNotwasinresidencefor10fulldaysofactivityatRoseCourt,designingandhostingweekly‘TammyintheHouse’workshopswiththeassistanceofPhDcandidateMelissaBliss(researchingdigitaltechnologiesandageingatQueenMary,UniversityofLondon),projectassistantHannahMaxwellandfilmmakerClaireNolan.

ImpulseLois’sperformancepracticeemploysavarietyofworkshoptechniquesfocusedon‘impulse’asameanstorevealdesiresandcreatepersonaandfantasy.FortheresidentsofRoseCourt,thesemethodologiesweretransmutedintogentlepromptsforcreativeexpression,agencyandstorytelling.Theenvironmentandmaterialswerecuratedtoencouragespontaneousactsofimaginationandarticulationofforgottendesires,ambitionsandidiosyncrasy.

SpaceOneachactivitydayoftheresidencyLoisandherteamoccupiedadownstairslounge,leadingjustoffreception,openingontothegarden,andusedprimarilyforgroupactivities.TheworkshoproomwassetuparoundtheideaoftheLongTable,drawnfromLois’sperformanceresearchproject“PublicAddressSystems”(aseriesofopen-sourceexperimentalformatsforpublicdiscussion).

RoseCourtstaffwouldbring8-12residentsdowntotheloungetositaroundanarrowtable,allowingthemtohearandinteractwithoneanother.Thetablewascoveredinawhitepapertablecloth,withpensandcrayonswithinreachingdistance;participantswereencouragedtowriteanddrawonthetable,aspromptedandspontaneously.Thetablewouldalsofeaturethematerialstobeusedinthesession,addingtoasenseofanticipation,aswellasmaterialscreatedinpreviousweeks–pictures,photos,objectsetc.

Foreachsession,Tammy’s‘fantasywardrobe’–anarrayofbrightandglitzydressingupclothes,hatsandjewellery–wasondisplayintheroom,andparticipantswerewelcometointeractwiththeitemswheneverandhowevertheypleased.Participantswouldbewelcomedintotheroomfrom11aminthemorning,byLoisasTammy,Melissa,Hannah,andonthreeoccasionsvideographerClaire.

ActivitySessionsbeganwitharoundof‘BodyHoo-Hah’,acall-and-respondimpulsegamewhicheventhemorepassiveresidentswereabletoengagewith.Thiswasfollowedby‘Tammy’sTinyYoga’,aseriesofgentleandpositivemovementsandgesturesrepeatedbythegroup.ThisactivityencouragedinteractionandcollaborationbetweentheparticipantsandfocusedthemonTammyasagroup.

20 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One

Themainbodyofeachsessionfollowedadifferentthemeandfeaturedadifferentcreativestimulus,butallofthemweredesignedtoencouragestorytelling,imagination/fantasyandpersonalrevelation.

Round the HousesUsingapre-cutstencil,participantsdrewahouseonthetableclothandwereencouragedtoillustrateithowevertheylikedusingthepens,stickers,stampsandpastingmaterialsavailable.Tammypromptedstorieswithquestionsaboutparticularmemories,drawingfromcreativedecisionstheyhadmadeinmakingtheirhouses.Thesewereincludedindividualscrapbookscreatedforeachresidentandphotosoftheartworksweredisplayedatthefinalshowing.Latersessionsfolloweduponthehouses,providingfold-outcardversionswhichcouldbepersonalisedandincludeaphotooftheparticipant‘inside’thehouse.

Sending a letterParticipantswerehandedablankenvelopeandaskedtoimaginewhotheywouldsendalettertoiftheycouldsendonetoanyoneatall.Deceasedfamily,long-lostfriendsandcelebritiesprovidedthemajorityofresponses,followeduponbyTammyaskingwhattheywouldsayandwhy.

Hidden treasuresTammysetupatrayof‘kineticsand’,asatisfyinglytactilesubstance,whichconcealedaselectionofminiatureobjects(includingabroom,asewingmachine,anewspaper,apieceofcakeandatoysoldier).Participantspassedthetrayaroundthetableanddugaroundinthesand–theactionsoftheirhandswascapturedasvideoportraitbyClaire.Upon‘discovering’anobject,Tammyaskedthefinderwhattheobjectremindedthemofandencouragedamemoryorstoryinspiredbytheobject;thoughafterafewexamples,participantsnolongerrequiredprompting.

Porch SittingAfternoonsatRoseCourtwereusuallyspentinthelounge,withthedoorsopen,workingonparticipant’sscrapbooksandwritinguptheircontributionsoftheday.ResidentswerewelcometocomeandgoandengagewiththecreativematerialsattheTable,chattoTammyandeachother.Withinandalongsidethesesessions,Tammyemployedsomeofthetechniquesof‘PorchSitting’toencouragecontributionsfromtheresidents;theactofsimplysittingtogether,musingonaparticularsubject,commentingonwhatyounoticeorwonder.Thisprovidedamoregenteel,lessresults-focusedconversationalstyle,whichallowedresidentstorelaxintotheworkshopenvironmentandeachother’scompany.

Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 21

LoisWeavers’TammyWhyNot-RoseCourt-Photos-ClaireNolan

22 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One

ChallengesThepersonalnatureofLois’spracticerequiredthecollaborationofaconsistent,smallgroupofabout10residents.ThestaffatRoseCourtunderstandablywantedasmanyoftheirresidentstoenjoytheworkshopsaspossibleandtheneedforcontinuitywithinthegrouphadtobenegotiatedandrenegotiatedcarefully.Additionally,andinevitably,illness,practicalitiesandmoodsprecludedmostmembersofthegroupfrommakingittoeverysession.

Residentsexhibitedvastlyvaryingphysicalandmentalabilities,soitwasparticularlycomplicatedtotailorworkshopsthatwouldengageeveryoneallthetime.Itwasnecessarytoinvolvemuchmoreone-on-oneworkthanwasexpectedbeforetheresidencyandthecompletionofactivitiesrequiredconstantindividualsupervisionfromallmembersoftheteamandRoseCourtstaffinattendance.

Itwaschallengingfortheartiststosufficientlyarticulatethepurposeoftheartisticactivitiesasroutestostorytellingandsharingofself.RoseCourtstaffwerekeentoencourageresidentsandtherewassometimesadegreeofpressureplaceduponparticipantsbycarehomestaffto‘doitright’.

Further ResearchTheexercisesdevelopedwiththeresidentsofRoseCourthavegreatlyinformedLois’sresearchonageinganddesire,feedingintoherlatestprojectasonehalfofSplitBritchesCompany–Unexploded Ordnances.DuringaresearchanddevelopmentresidencyattheBarbicanCentreinApril2016,LoisredeployedthemethodologyoftheHidden treasuresworkshopwithagroupofeldersfromLondonandNewYork–inthisinstanceburyingslipsofpaperwithanonymous‘desires’writtenuponthem.

Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 23

Learning and questions raised

Learningdocumentedintheartists’andobservers’diariesisataverydetailedlevel,demonstratingtheattentiontothequalityofinteraction,materials,spacesandactivitieswhichalltheartistsbroughttoeachworkshopormeeting.

Readingthroughallthedataanddiscussingitinourendofprojectevaluationsessions,weidentifiedmany11recurringthemeswhicharelistedbelow,togetherwithexamples.Inthisinterimreportthereisspaceonlyforoneortwoexamplesofeach.

TheinitialsPDEPunchdrunkEnrichmentorLWLoisWeaveridentifytheprojectfromwhicheachquoteorexamplecame,whenthisisnotobviousinthetext.

Finding a balance between ritual and change, the habitual and the special. IntroducingtheTammypersonawashelpful.Shecreatedanexceptionalmomentorinterventionintoausualafternoonofsittinginthelounge.(LW,Diary,Week1)

…asMatthewwakesuptheroom,wegetsomeproper“oohs”and“ahs”withtheritualofthechangeinlightingandthemusic–morethanpreviously.(PDE,Observer,Week6)

Communication with ‘the outside world’ItisauniqueprojectforGreenhivebecausewe’veneverworkedwithatheatrecompanybeforeandit’ssomethingverydifferentforresidentsandstaffthatwe’llbelookingforwardto.(InterviewwithGreenhiveManager18/01/16)

Theuseofletters,invitations,thankyoucards,photosfromBlarford,phonecallsfromtheMayor,newsletterisaveryeffectivewaytobringelementsoftheoutsideworldintothecarehome(eveniftheseareimaginary).Theresidentsfeltspecialreceivinginvitationsandcards-someresidentsframedtheirs.(PDEObserver)

Leaving something behind/ presence beyond the moment Thenewsletter,peoplelovereadingit.IgodeliverittotheresidentsandmanyoftheminsistIstaywhiletheyreadit.Peggytookit,andwereadittogether.Shesawherphotograph.Theyreadandtheyremember.(GreenhiveManager,Interviewweek4)

OnememberofstaffwasgivenapinkcowboyhattoweararoundthehomeandthroughthatletresidentsknowthatTammywasthere.(LW,Observer)

Bringinginpicturesfromtheprevioussessionisagoodtangiblewaytoremindpeoplewhattheymade.Theyallseemedtoenjoyseeingwhattheyhadmade.Residentssometimesfeltproudandsurprisedattheircreations.(LW,Observer)

24 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One

The8panellednoticeboard(withphotosandpostersfromeachweek’sactivity)showed:Wherewehadcomefrom,Wherewewereheading.Itservedasaphysicalreminderofthenarrativeandtheactivities.(PDE,Artist,Evaluationsession)

Care staff relationships with residentsOneofthecarerswasincludedinthisexerciseandshespokeabouthersonbeingherhero.Itwasmovingbecauseyoucouldtellsheenjoyedsharingthisaspectofherlifewiththeresidents.Alltheresidentsalsolistenedcarefully.Itspurredsomeinterestfromresidentswhothenwentontoaskaboutherson.(LW,Observer,Hero’ssession)

We’relookingatallsortsofopportunitiesthatthismightbring.…sometimesit’ssomethingsmallthatyouseeinaperson,whichcanactuallyhelpyoutohaveafullpictureofthatpersonandprovideadequatecaretothatperson.Youalwaysfindsomethingnewaboutaresident:somethingthattheymighttellyou,somethingthattheymightdo,thatyouneverknew.”(PDE,CareHomeManager,Interview)

Theone-to-onewedon’thavetheluxurytodo,butIthinkthatwassomethingPunchdrunkdidhave:alotofstaffaroundtohelpandsupporttheresidentsone-to-one,andthatissomethingwedon’thavewhenwedoactivities.It’squitedifficulttospendtimewithoneperson.Wehavetothinkabouteveryoneandmakesurethateveryonegetsserved.(PDE,ActivityCoordinator,Interview)

Interaction between residentsMostparticipantscamelastweekaswell,soabettercontinuity.Ifelttherewasadistinctlyhigherlevelofcamaraderie,trustandengagement.Peoplecameinmoreopen,andtalkedovereachotherless.(LW,DiaryWeek5)

Itwasgreattohearthepoemreadbyaresident.Graceeagerlyvolunteeredtoreaditoutanddiditbeautifully.Residentslistenedcarefully.Thiswasagreatmomentasresidentsattentionshiftedfromtheirownpersonalactivitytosomebody-elsearoundthetable.(PDEObserverWeek4)

Accessing fantasy/the imaginary“Closeyourhandstogetherandimaginethereissomethinginsidethem”…most(people)wereabletorespondtothiswell.Ithinkthathavingtheirhandscuppedtogetherandthephysicalelementofitmadeiteasierforthemtoaccesstheimaginary.Therewasnothingtangibleaboutthe“imagineyouhadadifferentname”(previousexercise)andsosomepeoplehadahardertimeaccessingthispartoftheexercise.(LWObserverWeek8)

Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 25

InthefirstsessionPunchdrunkbroughtamapofGreenhiveandBlarford.Eachresidentwasgivenacopyoftheimagewhilsttheydiscussedthevillages.Dixieenteredthenarrativeashesaid‘justgotmyfeetwet’whendiscussingtheriveronthemap.Similarly,Petersaid‘that’saBlarfordladyrighthere’–tooneofthePunchdrunkfacilitatorsshowingheisbuyingintothefantasy.(PDE,Observer,Week1)

RecognitionTammyrememberstheresidents’preferencesandmakesaestheticchoicesastowhatgoeswellwiththeiroutfits.It’sthesameoutfitseveryweekbutsheaddslittledifferentbitstoiteachweek.Tammyisverycarefultorespondtotheirparticulardesiresandtastes.Shepaysalotofattentiontothingsmatchingandtothingsbeingputonproperly.Thereiscareandvaluetotheseaestheticchoices.(LWObserver,Week8)

Matthewbeganthesessionbyintroducingeveryone.Ashedidthis,henotonlysaidtheirnameandpointedatthem,butalsodescribedwheretheyweresitting“andwelcometoAnnesittingbetweenLilianandMike”forexample)sayingthenameoftheresidentseachtime.Thiswasuseful,notonlyforthemorevisuallyimpairedpeoplebutseemedtoaffirmthepresenceofeachandeveryone,overandoveragain.(PDEObserver,Week7)

ValidationIwasveryimpressedbythismorning.Theyhaveaverygoodapproach.Tammydidn’timposeheridea.Shewantstogettheideasfromthem.(LW,InterviewwithActivitiesCo-ordinator,18/01/16)

Inweek4thereweresomediscussionsaboutconsentinthedressingupandphotographyactivity.Thefacilitatorswereveryspecificonmakingitcleartotheresidentsthattheydonotneedtodressupandthattheydonothavetohavetheirportraittaken.Evenifthey’veallhadphotographyandconsentformssignedbyfamilymembersPunchdrunkwereverysensitivetoreceivingconsentfromtheminthatmoment.(PDEObserverWeek4)

Controlled / uncontrolled space, formal / informal interactionsPorchsittinggaveusanopportunitytobemindfulintheproject,topracticesittingwithresidentswithoutagoaloragenda.Italsoprovidedopportunitytogettoknowthem.ImportanttoseethemintheirspaceandcontinuetheTammycharacter/sessionbeyondthespaceitself.(LW,Week1)

AsMatthewwheeledEdnaaroundthespacetoherspotonthetablehenamedeveryoneelsethatwasintheroomthathepassed-thisseemedlikeagoodwaytogiveEdnaasenseofthespaceandthepeopleinit.(PDE,ObserverWeek4)

Matthewhadhisstoolshortenedtobemorelevelwiththegroupwhensittingatthetable.(PDE,Observer)

26 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One

LikeinallPunchdrunkshowsthereweremanylayersofnarrative.Someparticipantsconnectedandsawit.ItwasgreattohavetheflexibilityandtodropnarrativesthattheCommitteeweren’tconnectingwith.

Feelings!Emotionalattachment.Howdoyoudealwiththehardthingsoflifeinacarehome.Needtoremindyourselfofthecontext.Joyfulmomentsaregreat–butyouwon’talwaysgetthem.(PDE,FinalEvaluationdiscussions)

Theartistcanbepulledbetween:makingtheirownwork,entertainingthepeoplewhohavecome,orfacilitatingtheolderpeopletomakesomething.Whenthereissilencetheartistcanfeelobligedtoentertainormakesomethinghappen.(LW,Evaluationdiscussions)

What could homes do to carry the work forward?Liliandrankherteaandsaidhowmuchsheappreciatedthedelicatechina.IthinkthisissomethingPunchdrunkhaveparticularlypaidattentiontothroughouttheproject:theaestheticqualityofallthematerialsandobjectsusedandpresentedinthespace.ItsometimesmighthavefeltlikeitwentunnoticedbutIthinkthatthisrigourreallypaidoff,assuggestedbyLilian’scommentregardingthechina.(PDE,Observer)

Bothresidenciesattemptedtobuildonwhatwasdoneintheprevioussession–whilsttheactivitywasdifferentanditwasn’tcrucialfortheresidents’torememberwhathadhappenedbefore,therewasageneral“journey”,“arc”totheresidencywhichworkedtowardssomethingbiggerandlargerandbuiltonthemesandstoriesexploredinpreviousweeks.Perhapsthereissomethingaboutchallengingresidentsandgivingcontext.Someresidentsdidrememberandwereabletoaccessthedifferentlayersofthestoriesandthemesexploredintheresidencies.Activitiescoordinatorssaidtheywouldtrythisapproachofongoingratherthanone-offactivities.

Residentsinbothcarehomesweregivena“treasurebox”or“scrapbook”withmemoriesfromtheproject.Thereisaphysicallegacytotheproject.Loisalsoleftmaterialssheusedintheactivities,forinstancethesandwithhiddenobjects.MarieinGreenhivespokeabout‘stealing’someoftheexercisesforheractivities.AtGreenhive,acommitteeofresidentscontinuetomeetonTuesdays,aroundalargetable,usingtheGreenhiveGreenchairs.TheActivitiesCoordinatorsandotherstaffhaveusedexercisesfromtheprojecttostimulatenewactivities.TheCommitteenoticeboardisstillinuse.

The role of the artists and their response to the care homeKeyquestionsraisedbytheartistsincluded:Howmuchdoyouneedtopindown?Howmuchcanyoukeepopenandresponsivetoparticipants?Howlongdoesittakefortheartisttofeelcomfortable?

The next phase

ThepracticalexperiencesandlearningfromphaseoneoftheArtists’ResidenciesisalreadyinformingourplanningforphasetwowithDuckieandUpswing.

Followtheirexperiencesonwww.magicme.co.ukor@MagicMeArtsontwitter

Further ReadingForinformationaboutMagicMe’sotherprojectswithcarehomesforolderpeoplepleasevisitwww.magicme.co.uk/downloads/reports anddownloadreports:Getting Everybody Included&Our Generations

Tolearnmoreaboutartsprojectswithincarehomesrunbyotherorganisationsandartistsvisit:www.ageofcreativity.co.uk

Magic Me18 Victoria Park Square,London, E2 9PF

Formoreinformationvisit www.magicme.co.uk/artists-residencies/